The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Thai Food
Thai food is renowned for its distinctive and harmonious combination of flavors, which often includes a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements. Four of the five countries with the most similar food to Vietnam are located in Southeast Asia. All five nations have tropical climates and a lot of coastline. They have culinary influences from both East Asia and South Asia.
- Vietnam and Thailand both use a lot of fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables in their dishes. Their cuisines tend to balance sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. One of the most famous Thai dishes is Tom Yum Soup, which is similar to the Vietnamese sour soup called Canh Chua. Sriracha hot sauce originated in Thailand, but is widely used in Vietnam as well. In addition, dishes with curry are popular in both countries.
- Malaysia is on Thailand’s southern border. Both countries are adjacent to both the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Noodles play a significant role in both nations. Dishes like stir-fried noodles, noodle soups, and noodle salads are popular in both countries. Curries are prevalent in both Malaysian and Thai cuisines, albeit with variations in types and flavors. Both cuisines incorporate coconut milk into their dishes.
- Taiwan is another country that borders the Pacific Ocean on this list. The Chinese culinary influence is present in both Thai and Taiwanese cuisines. Both countries feature a variety of noodle dishes. Rice is the most commonly eaten grain and pork is the most commonly eaten meat in these nations. Both cuisines place importance on the use of fresh, local ingredients.
- Philippines and Thailand also have food supplies that are similar. Bananas and coconuts are common ingredient in their diets. While pork dishes are widespread in both countries, chicken is more popular in the Philippines than Thailand. Given their coastal locations, both Thailand and the Philippines have strong traditions of seafood dishes.
- Indonesia is another insular country with a lot of coastline bordering the Pacific Ocean. As a result, seafood is a common ingredient in both Thai and Indonesian cuisine. Both countries tend to eat a lot of rice. However, since Indonesia is predominately Muslim, a much lower amount of pork is consumed there.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Thailand
The Least Similar Cuisines to Thai Food
Interestingly enough, all five countries with the least similar food to Thailand are African. Besides Sudan, these countries are landlocked as well. Furthermore, these nations tend to have drier climates than Thailand and are also more sparsely populated.
- Chad is a predominately Muslim country located in the Sahel region of Africa. Chad’s cuisine is far different from Thailand’s. It heavily relies on staple foods like millet, sorghum, corn, and beans. Furthermore, pork is far less often eaten in Chad, due to religious reasons.
- South Sudan is another country that borders Sudan on this list. Cassava and sorghum are the staple foods in South Sudan. The country also eats relatively little meat compared to Thailand. South Sudanese cuisine tends to be more rustic and hearty, while Thai cuisine is known for its delicate use of fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables.
- Niger is a predominately Muslim country in Africa. It has an extremely hot and dry climate, so it is mostly desert. Its two most common staple foods are millet and sorghum. Some traditional dishes in Niger include tuwo, a porridge made from millet or sorghum, and dambunama, a dish made from millet, vegetables, and meat.
- Sudan borders both Central African Republic and South Sudan. The contrasting ingredients in Sudanese and Thai cuisines can be attributed to their distinct agricultural landscapes. In Sudan, a warm climate allows for the cultivation of crops like sorghum, millet, and various legumes.
- Central African Republic is yet another landlocked nation that was once a colony of France on this list. Cassava and yam are two of the most commonly eaten ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro makes up a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than in Thailand.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Thailand
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Thailand’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Pork, Saltwater Fish
Fruit: Banana, Coconut
Vegetable: Chili pepper, Cabbage
Starch: Rice, Wheat
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
